My smart watch.
“I’ve got it.” I start fiddling with the device on my wrist. “Meimi is setting up her tracking board today.”
“What’s that?” asks Justice.
“It’s so she can stay on target with her big project. We got a little spider bot the other day, and I asked Meimi to keep the bot’s video tracked on her. That way I can check in.” I adjust a few more controls. Finally, the image comes in on the tiny screen: Meimi strolling across the laboratory floor. I lift my wrist. “It’s small, but there you go.”
Justice and Slate step closer. My sentient send me another mental image. This time they send me the picture of not one, but two deer approaching me carefully. I smile at their humor. The whole idea of a transcendent is overwhelming to my brothers.
“My stars,” says Justice. “She’s something.”
“Transcendent,” adds Slate. His voice is low with awe.
Looking down, I see the camera feed has already changed. Rakkie is no longer projecting video of Meimi. Now the picture shows Zoe and Chloe.
Justice taps the image of Zoe. “That’s what you call a real angel right there.”
Slate does the same, but to the picture of Chloe. “Beautiful.”
I almost fall back on my butt, I’m so shocked. I’ve never heard the word angel from Justice before. And Slate? I didn’t even know he found anything beautiful, let alone a girl.
And these are Meimi’s two best friends.
This could get very complicated.
The camera picks up Meimi once more. Now it’s my turn to tap the screen. “No, guys. This is Meimi. Those other two were Chloe and Zoe, her friends.”
With that, my brothers launch into a long game of Twenty Questions—or in Slate’s case, Twenty Words—about Zoe and Chloe. Are they twins? Where did Meimi meet them? Why are they in the laboratory? What exactly are their roles in Meimi’s master plan? At first, the whole thing is a big smile. After all, these are the two most eligible bachelors on all of Umbra. They have their choice of sentient-carrying women to choose from. And I happen to know both like to play the field.
Even so, I’ve never heard either of them show this much interest in any woman. It must be some kind of halo effect from the fact that Meimi and I are transcendents. Maybe that makes Earth women more interesting?
Whatever their motivations, there are other reasons why my brothers and I all trekked to this spot. It’s not romance.
“Guys,” I say at last. “I’d love to keep answering your questions, but there are things we need to discuss.”
“Of course,” says Justice. Those are the words my brother says, but I can’t help noticing how his gaze stays locked on my smart watch. I decide to shove my hand in my pocket and remove temptation.
I turn to Slate. “Last time we met, you were researching how to free up my powers. I still can’t access sentient under the Boston Dome.”
“Closer,” replies my younger brother.
In Slate-talk that means he’s almost got a solution for me, but not quite yet. “Thanks for keeping at it,” I say.
“He’ll figure it out,” states Justice. “You’ll know it’s fixed because I’ll call you again.”
I chuckle. Justice is notorious for sending me summons to speak at any time, and across multiple dimensions. “I look forward to your comm.”
Justice adjusts his white Stetson. It’s his move when he’s trying to charm someone into doing something. In this case, the “charmee” would be me.
“Brother,” begins Justice, “I was thinking again about that video you showed of Zoe.”
“No way am I bringing out my smart watch again.”
“What an idea.” Justice rubs his stubbled jaw. “I wasn’t going to suggest that, but since you bring it up, how about one more peek?”
“Chloe,” adds Slate.
This is unbelievable. “How about this? We finish catching up on non-girl stuff, and the next time I see you, I’ll bring Chloe and Zoe in person.”
“Right.” Justice rubs his hefty palms together. “Go on.”
“Dr. Godwin’s plan is to send a battle sentient swarm around to kill millions of people.”
“No,” states Slate.
“We agree. Here’s Meimi’s plan. What if we replace the battle swarm with one made of knowledge sentient?”
“That would work,” says Justice. “The swarm would have to come willingly, though.”
I turn to Slate. “Think you can find a volunteer?”
“Try,” replies Slate.
“That’s all I ask,” I say.
“Hey, I’ve got an idea,” says Justice. “Since you’re bringing those lovely ladies with you next time, how about I take it on myself to help Slate in his search?”
“Thank you.” I smile. “I was hoping you’d say that.”
“Not a worry,” declares Justice. “After all, it’s the least I can do, considering how I know you’re going to keep your word to us and all.”
I hold my hands up in mock surrender. “I’ll bring them. I swear.”
“Good,” declares Slate.
Now that we’re done with the pleasant topics, it’s time for painful stuff. “How is Father?”
“Cole,” states Slate.
I know what that means. Dad has returned to being unhinged. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“He’s getting sneaky, too,” adds Justice. “Spends all day locked up in his lab, working on something big. Even Mom doesn’t know what he’s up to.”
“Assassination,” adds Slate.
It’s one word, but there are hours of discussions behind it. Mother believes it would be kindest for the three of us to team up and assassinate Cole. Any emperor or empress who takes in Crown Sentient is doomed to the same fate: they all go insane. Janais thinks it’s kinder to have the killing blow come early.
“I’m not ready for that,” I say. “Last time, Cole shared that he knew about transcendents. That changes everything, in my opinion. If you two can find Umbran transcendents to share your powers, then you could face Cole, remove his Crown Sentient, and keep him alive. I’ve been thinking about it, and since I found my transcendent, I think that’s a sign. You guys will find yours next. There is hope for Dad.”
“I like where you’re going with that,” says Justice. “Trouble is, Cole’s still Cole while we’re out a-looking. How about this? We put Cole on his own planet and seal him off there with red sentient. An exile void.”
I shake my head. “That’s a nice idea, but only emperors can do that, and I’m assuming Cole would never do it to himself.” Which Justice knows already. This is his way of trying to lighten the mood.
Justice snaps his fingers in pretend disappointment. “Aw, shucks. Back to the drawing board.”
A tingling sensation moves up my spine. I hate leaving Meimi this long. Today, Godwin was visiting Humboldt. Those get-togethers tend to end fast. I can’t risk him getting back to the Underground and not finding me there.
“I better be on my way,” I say.
“Look,” declares Slate.
No question what he wants to look at, either. Chloe. Plus, there’s so much seriousness in Slate’s gray eyes that it’s hard to say no. And with the block on our sentient powers, it’s not like my brothers can easily sneak into the Boston Dome and pay a visit.
Of course, it’s a small movement to reveal my watch. But that’s not the point. I’ve been trying to keep my brothers focused and the images on this device are distracting. That said, both my brothers look so interested, I lift my wrist anyway.
“Sure. You can have one last look before I go.”
Both Justice and Slate look for so long, I start to lose blood flow to my hand.
“My lady doesn’t seem too happy, does she?” asks Justice.
Looking down, I see that Meimi, Zoe, and Chloe are standing in a circle, gesturing wildly. There’s no audio, but I don’t need that to know they’re yelling at each other.
And is that smoke coming f
rom somewhere in the back of the lab? Bands of worry tighten across my chest.
“Go,” orders Slate.
He doesn’t need to tell me twice. “Bye, brothers.” I hop on my hoverbike and speed back toward the city.
I can only hope I arrive in time.
23 Meimi
I stand in the Underground lab alongside Chloe, Zoe, and Rakkie. Above our heads hangs the big board, which is the monitor where Chloe wanted to track stuff. Of course, we’re using fake names for all the milestones. Godwin is on a need-to-know basis and, turns out, he doesn’t need to know much. We’ve been disagreeing about how those milestones should be listed.
And we’ve been doing that for an hour now.
“It should go alphabetically,” declares Chloe. “The deadlines for my work should be listed first, then Meimi, and then Zoe.”
Zoe, as it turns out, has a real problem with being last. Why? Her name starts with a Z. Seems she always got last in line at school or whatever. And it also seems that if I had my memory back, I’d recall all this myself and wouldn’t need to be reminded.
More and more, I want my memories. Badly.
It’s a super frustrating conversation. Even Rakkie has given up. The little bot is lying on his spider back, waving his spindly legs in the air. It’s a very clear pantomime for how he feels about our conversation. Dead on arrival.
Fact: back at the hotel, I uploaded some artificial intelligence protocols into the little guy. I think he’s getting an attitude.
Smack!
The door bursts open; Thorne rushes in. He speeds across the lab and pulls me into his arms.
Not going to lie.
I have no idea what’s going on, but the hugging is nice.
Okay, more than nice.
Leaning back, he cups my face in his hands. “Are you okay?”
“Beyond the fact that we still don’t have a goals sign”—I make sure to glare at Chloe and Zoe for the last part—“I’m fine.”
“But I saw smoke in the vid feed from Rakkie. I thought there was a fire.” He looks over at Rakkie on the floor. “And is that bot all right?”
“Fine,” I reply. “Just displaying the finer points of physical sarcasm.”
At these words, Rakkie hops back to his feet and skitters around while making little tweeting noises. I’m pretty sure the little thing is laughing at us.
Zoe waves her hand dismissively. “Don’t worry about the smoke. It’s over now. I was working on a new hallucinogenic; something to fluster the audience while we swap out the Lacerator. My concoction was supposed to make a haze.”
Thorne frowns. “But shouldn’t you have some way to siphon off the smoke so everyone doesn’t choke to death?”
“Well, I should have that,” says Zoe. “But someone stole that equipment and dragged it to her side of the lab.”
Chloe lifts her chin. “I need it more than you do.”
I lean my head against Thorne’s chest. It’s a very comfortable spot. Maybe I’ll stay here forever.
“Ugh,” I sigh. “Getting the lab set up was supposed to be the easy part.”
Snick!
Two chains hold the big monitor above our heads. Now, one of those metal strands makes unsettling creaky noises.
“Your board is about to fall,” states Thorne.
“No, it’s not.” Chloe grabs a ladder that is most decidedly on Zoe’s side of the lab and jams it under the edge of the board. “Problem solved.”
“You took my ladder,” warns Zoe. “I want the ventilation system back.”
Tweet, tweet!
Rakkie goes berserk. That’s a different set of sounds from when the little bot is playing around. That level of noise means only one thing.
The doctor is on his way.
“Stop fighting,” I order. And because it’s the best plan at this point, I add: “Godwin’s coming. Look busy.”
Everyone takes their places. I return to my desk. Chloe pretends to sort through a pile of gears. Zoe holds up an empty beaker and examines the nonexistent contents. Thorne leans against a nearby stretch of wall and looks menacing.
Godwin steps through the door; he’s not alone. My heart sinks.
The Scythe is with him.
The last time tall, dark, and dangerous was here, the Scythe had stopped by for an unofficial visit. I’d forgotten that he was coming by again. This time, the visit is an official inspection, where the Scythe checks out our operation and gives his verdict to Godwin.
Now, it’s true that the Scythe already committed to me that he’ll help.
But it’s also true that he’s a crime lord and lying liar.
It’s also-also true that the lab looks like a total mess. I mean, if I were the Scythe, I’d be tempted to back out. And I’m nowhere near his level of ethically challenged.
Godwin spreads his fingers in the universal symbol for excitement. Yup, Godwin made jazz hands. “You just saw a hologram of my schemes back at the Simulacrum.” The doctor now spreads his arms wide. “Now you can witness the minions who bring my ideas to life.”
I’m busy pretending to type the same sentence over and over when I catch the whole minions line. What Godwin understands about my official plans to make his Engine is zero. Mostly because I give him fake reports. But even so, he should show the team some respect.
The Scythe slowly steps around the lab. I see the situation through his eyes. Questionable chemical stains on the walls. Concoctions recently smoking away in a corner with no ventilation. A janky monitor that’s propped in place with a random ladder. And let’s not forget me, who probably looks like I haven’t slept in days … and that I’m about to scream with frustration because, let’s face it, that’s the truth.
“So, what’s your verdict?” asks Godwin. “Does this inspection meet your standards?”
The Scythe pauses, leans on his left leg, and sets his hand in a pocket of his sport jacket. He could be a male model, back in the era when Earth had both fashion and models.
“What can I say?” asks the Scythe. “I’m impressed. Now, let’s discuss my price.” Turning to Zoe, he gives her the barest of winks.
Hold it right there.
This means two revelations.
One, the Scythe is still in.
And two, the Scythe winked at Zoe.
In response, all the blood drains from Zoe’s face.
The Scythe doesn’t wink. This isn’t good.
“Excellent!” cries Godwin. “We’ll return to the Simulacrum to discuss specifics.” He shoots a quick glance at Thorne. “The Scythe will requisition that part for you, by the way.”
By part, the doctor means the Hollow. As code words go, it’s rude to treat her like a piece of machinery. Still, I can’t help but be happy that the data guru is on her way.
Thorne nods. “Thank you, sir.”
Godwin and the Scythe stroll from the room. Once they’re well and gone, Zoe sets her hands on her throat. “Did the Scythe really wink at me?”
“He so winked,” says Chloe.
“The man’s really handsome,” adds Zoe. “But a little scary.”
I raise my pointer finger. “Make that a lot scary.” I turn to Thorne. “Back to business. Godwin said something about a part. Does that mean what I think it means?”
Thorne grins. “Yes, the Hollow is coming.”
“Wow.” Leaning back on my heels, I stare up at the ceiling in a general show of gratitude. “That is great news. Things are looking up.”
All of a sudden, the big board creaks, sways, and tumbles off its ladder prop to fall splat on the floor. Little bits of glass fly everywhere. Rakkie skitters past, slips on some splinters, and tumbles onto his back again. This time, I’m worried that the little bot might actually be damaged.
A weight of worry settles on my shoulders. We have less than two months to finish this project and more than two million lives riding on the line. And we’re still a hot mess.
Sadly, things are actually not looking up.
&nbs
p; 24 Thorne
“There is no torture quite like being trapped in a routine mission on a parallel universe of no import.” – Beauregard the Great, Instructions for Visiting Parallel Worlds
Days pass.
Meimi keeps focusing on our big project.
Not a lot of actual work gets done, though.
I’ve been on planets with nothing but rocks and fire where more stuff got created in less time.
Leaning against the lab wall, I make a quick mental inventory. Zoe is still developing her hallucinogen and not the smoke screen, which she calls the puff bomb. Chloe keeps complaining that she needs to know how to fit an omnivoid generator into the Crawler without being limited by other people’s ideas. Too bad Meimi is the one actually designing the omnivoid device. Today, things got pretty heated. Now the twins are in their rooms, supposedly engaging in quiet research.
It’s a nice way of saying, Meimi put them both in a time-out.
Meimi’s a brilliant scientist, but leading a team is way different from building prototypes alone. At the same time, Chloe and Zoe are super talented, but they don’t exactly play nicely with others. I step in where I can, but most of my time needs to be focused on Godwin management. If I didn’t keep his schedule full, the guy would be down here constantly. So far, I’ve figured out how to flood his apartment, set up fake meetings with President Hope, and convince his girlfriend, Trixie, that the guy is ready to propose. She’s naturally clingy and super skilled at sucking up his time.
Even so, I know Meimi is getting worried. She’s not sleeping. Or eating. Or thinking about anything other than the millions who could die if she fails. My girl is running on adrenaline. Take this moment for instance. Right now, Meimi is typing away on her data pad so quickly, you’d think the Liberation Celebration was tomorrow.
That settles it. Meimi needs a break.
Stepping over to her side, I rest my palm on Meimi’s shoulder. “May I take you out to lunch?”
She wipes her hands over her face. “I can’t leave the building. There’s too much to do.”
“Ah-ah. I’ve heard there’s a fresh shipment of fake waffles in the kitchenette.”
Alien Minds: Dimension Drift, Book 1 Page 13
